30% Glycolic Acid Home Chemical Peel Kit

10 Reviews

1. 

   ashamedOcelot9

   Reply

   I thought nothing would ever budge my hyperpigmentation. It’s a combination of sun damage and melasma that used to be so light that I honestly never really noticed it. If I squint super hard while looking at old photos taken up close in just the right lighting, I can see the outline of what would eventually become these dark spots. An ill advised BBL session brought them out in full force. Perhaps having more BBL would have eventually lifted the pigment away. But 3 dermatologists warned me that any more light treatments might make it darker and harder to treat. So I went the topical route, but it was waylaid by the fact that I got pregnant and then breastfed for 5 months and couldn’t use a lot of ingredients during that entire time.

   I went from having skin that others would describe as peaches and cream to having a spotted freckled face. I can’t tell you how sad this made me. It destroyed my self confidence and consumed my thoughts. My entire appearance changed for the worse in the span of a week and it was impossible to come to terms with. What I saw in my reflection was not me. Not to mention I was dealing with full on adult acne from coming off the pill. So I had brown spots all over and every kind of acne you can imagine. I was spotted and lumpy. I couldn’t decide if I hated the acne or the discoloration more. Age spots have been shown to visually add more years to your face than wrinkles, and I’m proof of that. I spent 1.5+ years avoiding mirrors and cameras. The spots were always so visible in photos!! There’s only a handful of photos of me with my first born up to age 8 months bc I was still dealing with very dark pigmentation and I truly hated every photo I saw of myself.

   I read so much about melasma and tried all the things that are supposed to help it. Finacea, Tazorac, vitamin C, hydroquinone, lactic acid peels, Mandelic peels, TCA 15%, B3, etc.

   I avoided glycolic bc I’d had bad experiences when I was younger of it breaking me out, and everything I read said stuff like lactic acid was better for hyperpigmentation.

   I’m not sure what inspired me to order and try MUAC 30% glycolic, but I did. And oh my god. After one 4 min peel, the spots were lighter. I could not believe my eyes. I’ve done 4 peels since then, about 5-7 days apart, and things keep getting lighter.

   Maybe this would not have worked as well if I had not stripped my skin down with all that other stuff I’ve been trying since Feb 2016. I don’t know. All I can tell you is that stuff diff not budge these spots one bit. This stuff did.

   They are not gone by any means but I’ll keep using this at least once a week and tell you how it’s going. They are light enough at this point that I let someone take a photo of me and my son up close the other day. And I did not hate the photo.

   This is also helping me clear up some really problematic pores, closed comedones that just would not go away. This is helping to get them gone, in conjunction with Paula’s Choice BHA liquid and Taz gel.

   2 months ago I pre paid for a mini melanage peel, and I plan to do it in early Nov. I am hopeful that will really get rid of all the spots for good and give me a clean slate going forward. But even though I’m doing a big guns peel, I 100% plan to keep using this peel for upkeep at least once a month, forever.

   Praise the powers that be, there is hope for stubborn sun and melasma spots. Give this stuff a try. Use it weekly for a long time before you give up on it. It might just surprise you one day.

2. 

   abjectSeagull0

   Reply

   This, in conjunction with other MUAC peels like the Mandelic/Salicylic and the 40% lactic acid, have done a 360 degree of change in my skin. However, as I have informed myself and have become aware of chemistry, skin responses and effects, and how my skin maintenance products function, I truly believe this is the star of the show. Before this, the peels I used previously did work, but I constantly had to depend on them (and thus be open to future skin resistance and perhaps sensibility) which I did not desire. Also, the results would not last long and the problems would persist, namely that I had problems finding appropriate skin maintenance products and my skin wouldn’t cooperate with any moisturizer, regardless of price, texture, or an ingredient omitted. To me is the Assistant Director in the film production that is my skin care routine. The Hulk in my Avengers. The bread in my PB&J. It has made everything make sense and function seamlessly. It resolves that which the others cannot in a timely and efficient manner. ALWAYS.

   After each use my skin looks refined, pristine, and radiant, like a baby’s tushie. My skin care products actually work now and I’ve had no more problems with finding a moisturizer. I no longer increase the time I leave it on as the weeks progress, as my skin doesn’t react well to that method. I only leave it on for 4-6 minutes, never more. This method does leave me with a nice, subtle but marked radiance to my skin, despite it not promising so. No purging, no peeling, just an overall refreshment. Doesn’t help with clogged pores on nose unfortunately. I look forward to using it every time. Along with the Mandelic/Salicylic, a big and enthusiastic 5/5. If I had to pick, I’d pick this one wholeheartedly(since it does refine the skin and it is less evident. The salicylic/mandelic eradicates hormonal acne almost immediately) but please, focus on your main concern first then go from there.

3. 

   empathicBasmati4

   Reply

   this is my first review ever! through being a massive lover of makeup alley and finding this product on here i decided to buy a few MUAC products.
   I’m 22 and have had acne for 2 years and its progressively got worse, I’ve never suffered with acne through my teen years my skin was beautiful now it is a complete mess, i have active acne ALWAYS and the scarring on my face is ridiuclus. i have spots on my cheeks that have been there for YEARS! NO JOKE.
   i bought this peel and the tca so hopefully il be able to use that in the coming months once my skin gets used to this,
   I’ve only used this once and the results already are ridiculously good. my face overall is so shiny ( i have dry skin so wow ) the spots i have have decreased massively and the scars i had on my cheeks along with the acne are literally starting to disappear already.
   I’ve only used it once so maybe this review is premature but wow.
   I’ve heard only good things about muac I’m so excited to use the rest of their line ( it cost me £50 to be delivered and customs to uk ) I’ve tried absolutely everything there is to try trust me, the amount of products i have is silly.
   so excited to carry on this peel I’m guna make it a weekly thing!
   I’ve only give it a 4/5 just because I’ve only used it once so I’m sure il be back with the results in a few weeks ! 🙂

4. 

   hushedRhino1

   Reply

   I’ve been using MUAC peels for 17 months now and I will never be without them. This is a review for the MUAC peels I have tried, and I’ve put the review here because I am currently using the 30% glycolic. I had a *horrible* bout of acne a few years ago (read my review on Epiduo if you want to know the gory details) and undoubtedly, these at-home chemical peels helped me recover and get even better skin than before. I’m in my 30’s and my skin is better than it was in my 20’s- smoother, more even toned, less congested, fewer hormonal cysts during ovulation and PMS. I don’t think my skin has improved at all in elasticity, but that’s aging for you and superficial peels cannot touch skin structural issues. I’ve found the peels great at targeting pigmentation, surface textural issues and acne without the risk of serious side effects. So many benefits at a very low cost and time commitment, which is why I will never be without these peels again.

   I started slowly with a sample size of the 25% Mandelic. I did a peel every week (sometimes every two weeks) and the bottle lasted months. My acne started resolving and I got brighter skin in general. I was amazed when the Mandelic peel seemed to stop active acne in its tracks– it’s like the bumps would retreat!! Then, I moved on to the sample size of the 40% Lactic Acid, which went to work on genetic hyperpigmentation (asian freckles, like Lucy Liu) and sunspots I’ve had since my 20’s. This sample lasted for months with weekly use. At one point, I realized that both brown and reddish colored marks on my face had faded drastically. I’m not entirely sure why because it is intermediate between mandelic and glycolic in terms of how well it penetrates the skin, but the only peel that has given me tiny abrasions/chemical burns post-peel has been the Lactic.

   After I finished the Lactic acid sample, I moved onto the 30% Glycolic acid. By this time, after a year of the peels, I no longer need to wear foundation because the scars from my bout of acne have completely faded (I mostly had PIH) and my skin is even toned. I have noticed that the tiny capillaries around my nose have either gotten slightly worse or perhaps the rest of my skin has gotten so even that my reddish caps are more prominent in contrast! The coarseness of texture/enlarged pores under my eyes and next to my nose from aging also looks much better. When I got about a month and half into my glycolic acid peel regime (about three months before today), I stopped getting the hormonal PMS cyst (or two) on my chin that I was still getting with the lactic. If you have icepick acne scarring, I’d definitely work up to and try the glycolic acid– I had one such pitted scar on my cheek, from a pimple I got years back. While the mandelic or lactic never improved it, the glycolic has made it shallower and markedly less noticeable! Amazing!

   To echo what others have said, it’s true that lactic acid is better for hyperpigmentation issues and glycolic is better for treating/preventing acne. The glycolic seems to be the only one that improves more severe scarring and it’s been the best at keeping my most congested pores clean, however… be careful with this one– even though I’d been using peels for a good year before I started it, I could only tolerate leaving it on for 30 seconds at first. It felt like the tingling you get after you snap a rubber band onto your skin. After about two 30-second peels, my skin got acclimated and now I can leave it on for 7-10 minutes. Let me tell you, the day after my first 7 minute glycolic peel, the stubborn pores on my nose were completely cleared of their dark colored gunk.

   Try these peels! Follow the directions to a T, stop retinoids 48 hours before each peel, wait 24 hours to resume retinoids, start at the lowest %, least penetrative acid, and you might just end up with the best skin of your life!

   PS try using Cerave PM after the peels– I wake up with baby-butt-face: so supple and plump, not a flake in sight. 😉

5. 

   mildPretzels8

   Reply

   Another good peel from MUAC. Nothing unclogs pores like a good peel. I tried another brand. Big mistake. I’m back to MUAC and not switching. This brand is gentle and effective, without a nasty burn. Increase usage time gradually and follow the instructions.

6. 

   pitifulOryx4

   Reply

   This was the next strongest in the MUAC products for me after the Fade Peel, the 25%, The Triple Enzyme. As always I followed the directions to the letter – use a mild cleanser, never apply to irritated skin, do a patch test first, use as directed. I use a washcloth to remove surface oils and apply the PH Prep, which I have just learned is Witchhazel, allowed it to dry, did not rinse off.

   I used a timer for this because 30% is a lot for me (sensitive skin) and I am a big chicken when it comes to applying acids to my skin! I did a patch test and waited for the “tingle” but there really was not any discomfort – maybe because I’ve been off strong cleansers ever since I started using these products – there’s really no need for them anymore unless I want to give my skin a quick little treat.

   I started at 30 seconds and then slowly progressed to 10 minutes with very little discomfort. My skin was slightly pink and sensitive afterwards and within a few hours I started to notice how soft and clean – read deep down clean – my skin felt. So now the 30% is a weekly treatment for me. I’m not sure if I need anything stronger at this point. This journey for me worked best with weekly applications of peel left on 1 minute longer each time.

   It took several months for ALL of my pores to get clear. It’s gross, but it must be said – my skin was so clogged from years of gunk that I could never get completely out that I really believe my skin went into some sort of shock and I broke out a bit first before my skin responded and the pores just became more amd more clear each week – especially the pores on my nose. I check my skin every day and night in a magnifying mirror (called the mirror of truth) to see what’s going on and I am thrilled to report that I believe I got everything out. I truly believe that I will be foundation optional within the first half of this year. I am overjoyed.

7. 

   pridefulSeafowl2

   Reply

   Just to give you a bit of info on my skin. I have vitiligo, moderate acne (thanks to a hormonal IUD), sun spots. I’m also an obsessive skin picker, so that moderate acne looks swollen, red, and scabby all the time. I hate my skin to a point I sometimes hide at home because my skin is just that bad.
   My cheeks are GLOWING and soft and gorgeous.
   So, i left it on for about 4 minutes. I washed my face with Aveeno Positively Radiant Brigtening Cleanser (I think it’s important to use a gentle cleanser before any peel). Then I applied rubbing alcohol to my face (and no I don’t recommend doing this normally, I just wanted to remove all oils from my face). Then I used the included PH prep (which is just witch hazel, don’t repurchase this, not worth it), allowed it to air dry completely. I applied a thin layer (really, the peel itself is so watery you can’t apply a very thick layer anyway) of the peel on my face. It stung more than the lactic acid peel, but nothing scary. What did make me nervous was how red parts of my face got, but this went away about an hour once I’d removed the peel. I left it on for about four minutes, then rinsed it off with only water and an included honey and oatmeal soap sample they included.
   I love this, it’s already an HG for me.
   UPDATE: Still loving this. Acne hyperpigmentation is a thing of the past, and if I feel a pimple growing under my skin, I just use this peel, seems to fix it.
   UPDATE #2: This is AMAZING for BACK ACNE and scarring! Like AMAZEBALLS. I’ve suffered from cystic back acne (long story) for about three years now, I thought I was condemned to a life of sleeves and no tube tops… NOPE. Put this on my back (for 12 mins, since I figured skin there is tougher), same process as above… I’m getting COMPLIMENTS from coworkers, my husband, etc, about how my back has cleared up in about three week’s time. I literally feel NO new pimples growing under my skin. This is an official all around HG for me.
   UPDATE #3: SKIN SAVER, but to give more details… this peel takes time. I’ll compare if with the lactic acid peel as I used both of these most often. The lactic acid peel gives you a more immediate difference, but it did little for my acne and acne hyperpigmentation, and overall, after a while, my skin stopped improving and the acne came back with a vengeance. Not so with the glycolic peel; even though it doesn’t give you such strong “glowiness” immediately post peel as with the lactic acid, your skin keeps improving for weeks, and it doesn’t burn your skin. As I write this, my face that started with about 36 strong acne hyperpigmentation marks and a plethora of other pimples, I now have two acne marks, and just one tiny forehead pimple, and my last peel was three weeks ago. I don’t have to “keep up” with the constant peels to feel the effects of this acid, so, I overall recommend this one more. For sun spots though, the lactic acid is better.

8. 

   jumpySeahorse2

   Reply

   My experience with this peel– I used it yesterday and it was the first time I ever used a home peel!
   I was very very nervous to try it but I was also excited because I wanted to see how my face would like after.
   I also bought the Lactic Acid 40% peel.

   Yesterday morning I did patch tests (on both of my cheekbones where usually I have dry skin) with both of the peels to use how do they feel like and if I would have a red dinosaur or so on my face.
   At first I noticed that the Glycolic peel burned a bit.
   I left both peels as they say in the Instructions.

   In the evening, I’ve seen that everything was fine so I was thinking to try the Glycolic…I just didn’t have anymore patience to wait until today.

   I washed my face, wiped my face with the Ph solution, put the Glycolic acid on my fingers, put it on my skin and then I put my phone cronom. on 30 sec.
   After 30 sec. I was fine (bit stinging but nothing serious, I could handle it) and I waited until 1 minute.
   I quickly washed my face with a lot of water.
   I pat my skin with fresh, clean towel.

   I let my skin free for 3 hours and before going to bed I put Macadamia Oil (my new love) and went to bed.

   What I noticed after the peel: my face was a bit pink, taught, no weird sensation that would worry me, dewy, and few small pimples were already on my forehead (these little pimples have been there for few weeks already but I just let them sit there), my nose was a bit oily and a bit dry on the nose wings (nothing serious).
   The dry patches that I had on my forehead, cheeks and cheeksbones are smoother.

   Now, in the morning, my skin is softer, it is not dry or red or burned. My small pimples on my forehead are still there but you don’t really see them unless you touch my skin and you feel some bumps. No problem. Maybe it was just the acid that took them out and I am happy about it. My skin has a clear tone. My pores a bit smaller (nothing major).

   I can’t wait for the next peel!

   My skin is used to Retin A, Azelaic acid, AHA and BHA and other stuffs. I have combination skin, acne marks on my chin, very clog prone and from time to time I have pimples. Sensitive. Dry patches on my forehead and cheeks from Retin A that I used few months ago.

   Caution:
   – do a patch test and wait 24 hr (I waited 9 hrs but this is just me being impatient and my face used to other acids but you never know how your skin may react)
   – don’t let the peel on the skin longer that it is writen in the Instructions
   – take care of your skin after peel- don’t use harsh products, no scrubs or acids for the next 2 days ( again you never know how your skin may react so don’t take the chance).

   I hoped this helped someone who is thinking to have a first time home peel.

   I will update when I will have my next peel.

   EDIT- I used this peel 3 times in total. The advantages: my skin is clearer, my pores are smallar and they are not blocked as they used to be. My scars are fading.
   Disadvantages: my skin is very dry and peeling (I had dry skin prior to suing this peel but it wasn’t that bad as it is now). So use with caution is you have dry skin, it will make it drier.
   My scars are fading but nothing major but still it is OK.
   I can see an overall improvement and I will continue to use it but I will make sure to pamper my dry skin areas.

   EDIT 30.08.2013. Updated to 5 stars.
   I used it yesterday for 5 mins. It still stings a bit but nothing major. After I washed it off my skin was a bit pink and quite sensitive even when I washed with clean water. Again, nothing major.
   Results next morning: skin very smooth, pores veeery small, very old scars are getting less visible, I had 2 cysts lurking for a week and nothing helped (not even my beloved Skinoren!!) and now they are light purple and not so bumpy and angry.
   I love this peel and I will continue using it!!

   EDIT: 01.06.2014
   I have been using this peel once a month because my skin has been dry in the winter months and I didn’t want to stress it. It still leave my skin soft for few days, my pores look smaller and cleaner. It leaves my face dewy. I still have to use my Macadamia oil because I have dry cheeks but I like this peel a lot and I will continue to use it once a month.

9. 

   alertRuffs9

   Reply

   I’m HOLLYWOOD! My face is glowing and I haven’t seen my skin look this great in years. Great product. I would buy again, but I want to remove some hyper pigmentation which I read the lactic acid is better for.

10. 

    gutturalPiglet7

    Reply

    Helps smooth out skin but didn’t help with hyperpigmentation. My skin tolerated the 30% very well so I would do this every 5 days and leave it on for 10-12 mins. I finished the bottle but wasn’t satisfied with the results. Now moving on to the 50%